Stamp-vending machine.



No. 660,9l3. Patented Oct. 30,1900.

J. MAGKIBDY.

STAMP VENDING MACHINE.

(Application filed July 8, 1899-) (No Model.) 3 Shoots-Shoat I.

WITNESSES INV NTOI? No. 660,9l3. Patented Oct. 30, I900.

- .LMAcKlRDY.

sum vauu'ms cums.

(Application flied July 6, 1899.)

(No Model.) 3 Sheeta8haot 2,

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STAMP VENDING MAGIIINE.

(Application filed July 8, #889.)

(No Moduli) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

WITNESSES m: scams PETERS co. PHOTO-LITHO. wnummor}. n. c.

JAMES MAOKIRDY, OF NEW YORK, NJY.

S TAMP VEND ING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,913, dated October 30, 1900.

Application filed July 6, 1899'- To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES MAOKIRDY, of the city of New York, borough of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Stamp- Vending Machine, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improvement in machines for automatically vending stamps or other articles having a general similarity section; and Fig. 4 is a detail elevation show- 'ing the manner of connecting the operatingshat't with the actuating mechanisms for the various reservoirs or receptacles.

The method employed in my device f0rde-" livering the stamps is to place the latter after being separated Within a box or receptacle of a cross-section conveniently large to accommodate a stamp, the stamps being piled one upon the other, and to remove the stamps; from said box or receptacle by means of a suction-cylinder provided with a piston in-j serted within the receptacle until it contacts with-the upperstamp of the pile. Then the piston is moved upward sufiiciently to create a partial vacuum, which will attach the upper stamp to the bottom of the cylinder, whereupon the cylinder is raised and then swung to one side, the stamp being freed by a slight downward movement of the piston. The various cylinders and pistons which are used in connection with stamps of various denominations are all operated from a com mon shaft. The actuating mechanism for said pistons and cylinders is mountedloosely upon the shaft and is turned by means of a spring. which is of sufficient power to overcome the resistance due to the friction of the parts, but will slip by if the mechanism is locked, thus enabling one or more of the cylinders to be operated at once, according to serial No. 722,954. (No model.)

the number whichare released by the insertion of the coin.

The device is mounted within a suitable casing G. The stamps are placed in suitable reservoirs or receptacles G, which are of such cross-section-as to receive a single stamp, the stamps being piled one upon each other until the reservoir is filled. I have herein shown four of these reservoirs, each reservoir being designed, as shown by the index-plate O of -Fig. 1, to hold a stamp of a particular denomination. Mounted above each of these reservoirs is a cylinder B, which is supported to slide within a ring F, said ring being supported within a yoke F which is formed upon one end of a bar F, said bar being mounted to slide in guides F Each cylinder has a piston D within it, which has a limitedreciprocating movement within the cylinder, the extent of movement being limited by a pin d, which projects from the piston-rod D through longitudinal slots 1) in the upper portion of the cylinder. The piston is normallyheld in its raised position by means of a spring D which surrounds the upper outer portion of the piston-rod and bears against the upper end of the cylinder. On the upper outer face of the cylinder isa notch 17, which is adapted to engage with a projection I on the casing in the manner-and for the purpose hereinafter described.

To the upper end of the piston-rod D is connected one end of a bellcrank lever E, said lever being pivoted upon a cross bar or shaft E. The lower end of the bell-crank lever has a cam-,roller e journaled therein, adapted to engage the outer surface of a cam P, loosely mounted to turn upon a cross-shaft A. The bell-crank lever E is acted upon by a spring e so as normally to depress the cylinder D and to hold the cam-roller e in corttact with the cam P. The cam Pis provided with a notch formed by theinwardly-sloping surface P and the outwardly-sloping surface P, which will permit the cam roller 6 to swing nearer to the center of the shaft A and will then raise it to its former position. The cam is also provided with asecond drop or inwardly-sloping surface P and an outwardlysloping surface P, which brings the roller back to its ordinary position.

As the cam revolves the cam-roller e will drop into the first large notch formed by the two sloping surfaces P and P and as it strikes the second sloping surface P the roller is moved outward and the cylinder is raised. As the cam roller drops into the notch the cylinder is depressed within the reservoir or receptacle G until it contacts with the stamps within said reservoir, the degree which the cylinder will drop depending upon the number of stamps within the reservoir. The lower end of the cylinder is preferably provided with a ring 0 of rubberor similar flexible material, so as to maintain a close contact with the stamp. As the cam-roller e strikes the incline P of the cam P the lever E is operated first to lift the piston D, which causes a slight suction sufficient to cause the stamp to adhere to the lower end of the cylinder and be carried up therewith. The cylinder is then raised until it is clear of the reservoir and is then swung to one side through the action of a cam Q, loosely mounted on the shaft A upon a cam-rollerf, mounted in one end of the bar F, the normal position of the cam-roller f being upon that portion of the cam Q having the shorter radius. After the cylinder has been raised by contact of the cam-roller c with the incline P of the cam P the cylinder is then swung laterally clear of the reservoir G by contact of the cam-roller f with the incline Q of the cam Q. This swings the cylinder out over the hopper or inclined chute H and causes the tooth 1 upon the bar 1 to enter the notch 17 in the upper end of the cylinder, thus holding the cylinder, so as to prevent longitudinal movement thereof. While the cylinder is in this position the cam-roller 6 drops upon the incline P of the cam P, thus causing the piston D to be given a slight downward movement sufficient to free the stamp from the lower end of the cylinder, causing the stamp to drop in the hopper or chute I-I, secured to the inside of the casing C, from which it slides through a slot in the lower end thereof into an outside trough H, said trough being covered by a lid H*, which is hinged, so that it may be raised. The piston is then raised to its normal position by contact of the camroller 6 with the incline P of the cam P, and the cylinder 8 is brought back to its vertical position, as shown in Fig. 1, by the camroller running down the incline Q of the cam Q. The bar F, which controls the side swinging of the cylinder, is acted upon by a spring f, which serves to hold the cylinder toward the cam and the roller f in contact therewith.

The mechanism just described, by which the cylinder is operated, is duplicated for each of the reservoirs or stamp-receptacles, as is also the mechanism for controlling the operation of the cams, which is hereinafter to be described. 1

As previously stated, the two cams P and Q, by which the cylinder is operated, are loosely mounted upon the shaft A, but are turned thereby through the intervention of the means now to be described.

Referring to Figs. 3 and L, a disk or collar U is fixedly secured to the shaft A and has an arm U pivoted upon its outer edge and normally extending in a radial direction. The pivot end of this arm lies within a slight recess U formed in one side of the disk or collar U. This recess is of such nature that the lever when thrown to the radial position lies alongside of one side surface of the recess, the recess thereby limiting the position of the arm. In the other-direction the notch is sloping, so that the arm may be thrown backward at considerable angle, thus bringing the outer end thereof much nearer to the center of the shaft. The arm is held up in the radial position by means of a spring U, which is secured either to the shaft or to the collar U. Projecting from the side of the cam Q,which cam is secured to the cam P, is a pin Q so located as to be engaged by the outer end of the arm U The direction of rotation of the shaft, as shown in Fig. 4, is to the left, the arm U thus engaging the pin Q which causes the cams to turn. The spring U isof sufficient strength to overcome the resistance to rotation of the cams caused by the friction of the mechanism, but will give so as to allow the arm U to swing backward and beneath the pin Q if the cams are locked or otherwise held. Upon the opposite side of the two cams or upon the surface of the cam P is secured a locking-disk B. This disk has a shoulder R which is adapted to engage the end of a locking-lever T, which is pivoted upon a cross-shaft T. The end T of this 1ever which engages the shoulder R is turned to one side, so that the body of the lever may clear a flange p, which projects from the side of the cam P adjacent to the shoulder R. While the lever T is in the posit-ion shown in Fig. 1, the cams are locked, so that if the shaft A is turned the arms Uicarried thereby, will slip beneath the pins Q and the cams will not be turned. The direction of turning of the cams, as shown in Fig. 1, is to the right.

The locking-lever T is held in locking position by means of the spring T and one end of said lever projects within the lower end of the coin-guiding chute K, which extends upwardly to the top of the casing,where the coins may be supported. The spring T is a weak spring, so that its influence may be overcome by the weight of a coin upon the lever T, so that the side projecting tooth T may be raised clear of the shoulder R and its immediate upward swing is limited by the end 1.) of the flange 1). This, however, is sufficient to free the cams, so that when the shaft A is turned the cams will also be turned, thus bringing the end T of the lever T in contact with the incline R thus further raising this end of the lever and dropping the opposite end, which supports the coin. Until this has been done the coin is not free to escape from the chute K; but after that end of the lever has been dropped by contactfof the opposite end with the incline R the coin is freed and is dropped into the'upper end of either the chute K or K as the case may be, by which it is conducted to its proper receptacle.

The chute K, which controls the mechanism for delivering the one-cent stamps, has its coins drop into the chute K after being released from the lever T. This chute K conducts the coins to a change-making device L, which is shown in Fig. l and which will be hereinafter described. The arm T of. the 16-. ver T rides upon the outermost portion of the disk R until the revolution has been nearly completed, whereupon it rides downward upon the incline R to its normal or locking position. In order to insure the return of this lever to its locking position, the flangep is used, one end of which is at sufficient distance from the center to insure engagement with the arm T.

A stop-pawl O is provided, which prevents backward rotation of the cams. This pawl is mounted upon a cross-shaft O and has its end resting within a notch S in a disk S, which is secured to the side of the cam R. The pawl O is held in position by means of a spring 0. The coins which are deposited through the chutes K for all except for the one which controls the one-cent-stamp reservoir are deposited in the chutes K?, which carry them downsame-back to its normal position.

ward, depositing them in a box or suitable receptacle K The change-making device, which is shown in Fig. l, is constructed as follows: The coins which are received through the chute K drop into the conical'upper end L of a reservoir L, which is of such size as to nicely receive onecent pieces, the same being the coins which are delivered through the chute K. At the lower end of the reservoir L is a slide M, which has a hole therein adapted to register with the opening of the reservoir'L and of the" same size. This slide M is of such thickness as to exactly accommodate five one cent pieces. A spring m, which is attached to the inner end ofthis slide, serves to draw the Upon the inner end of the slide M is mounted a side projecting pin m, which is adapted to engage the square inner end of the cam-flange M,

which is mounted upon one side of a pivoted lever M This lever has its inner end pro-' jecting within the lower end of a coin-chute N, the upper end of said chute extending to a suitable opening in the side of the casing,

- of a coin upon the end of the lever.

locked, so that it may be drawn outward, thus delivering five one-cent pieces. As the slide M is drawn outward the pin m strikes the incline m so'as to further raise this end of the level-{and thus free the coin from the chute, allowing it to drop into the box K the outer end of the cam-flange M is mounted a thin fiat spring M which will yield to the pin m as it passes outward and will then drop down, so that as the pin returns it will ride upon this spring and pass backward over the upper surface of the cam-flange M, thus insuring that the opposite end of the lever is swung upward into position to receive the next coin.

In order that the party desiring change may be able to see whether or not there is change in the receptacle, a glass plate L is inserted in the front of the casing directly in front of the reservoir L, and the reservoir L is provided wit-h openings L, located at convenient intervals therein, the same being preferably placed at a distance corresponding with the thickness of five coins. The chute N is provided with an opening N in the lower side of the same near its upper'end, said opening being of such size that one-cent pieces if dropped therein will drop through andwill not affect the lever M while five-cent pieces will pass from the same to the lever M By means of the mechanismdescribed, by which the cams are operated to actuate the delivering mechanisms, it is evident that any number of delivering mechanisms may be operated fromthe same shaft, and yet only one, or as many as have been freed by the insertion of coins, is operated when the shaft is turned. The shaftA is provided with a'crank A upon one end by whichit may beturned;

I have provided a device, which is shown in Fig. l, which will indicate the fact when any one of the stain p-receptacles becomes empty. Mounted to slide in suitable guides upon the face of the casing is a series of plates J one plate being provided for each stamp- Upon receptacle and located directlyin frontthereof. This plate is immediately above an opening in the casing which is covered with glass, and has upon its outer face a suitable inscription whichindicates thatits particular reservoir is empty, and is normally held in raised position, so as to be invisible, by means of a pivoted lever J. The upper end of the piston-rod D has an arm J projecting to one 4 side and moving'in line with the inner end of thebar or catch J when the cylinder is in- Serted'within the stamp-receptacle. 1f the stampreceptacle contains any number of stamps, the cylinder will not descend a sufficient distance to cause the armJ to engage the catch J and the slide J will not b'e'released.

When, however, the stamps have been removed from this receptacleuntil. it'is'prac tically empty, the arm J will finally contact.

withthe catch' J and release the slide J which will drop down, so that its inscription will be visible, whereupon the intended purchaser will be notified that stamps of that particular denomination are not to be had.

Although I have described my device as being used for selling stamps, it is evident that it may be used for delivering other articles which are capable of being raised by the suction device described, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to its use only for deliver ing stamps. It is also evident that the actuating mechanisms, consisting of the cams and the method of driving the same, maybe used in connection with any form of delivering mechanism.

Having thus fully described myinvention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A delivery device for vending-machines, comprisinga suction-cylinder, a piston adapted to have a limited movement therein, a guide-ring surrounding the cylinder and having a sliding fit thereon, a bar secured to the ring and extending laterally from the cylinder, guides for said bar, a lever connected with the piston to reciprocate it, and actuating means for said lever and bar whereby the cylinder is reciprocated and then swung to one side, substantially as described.

2. A delivery device for vending-machines, comprising asuction-cylinder, a piston adapt ed to have a limited movement therein, a guide-ring surrounding the cylinder and sliding thereon, a bar secured to the ring and extendinglaterally from the cylinder, guides for said bar, a lever connected with the piston to reciprocate it, cam-rollers upon the lever and bar, and cams engaging saidrollers whereby'the piston and cylinder are reciprocated and are then swung to one side and the article deposited, substantially as described.

A delivery device for vending-machines, comprising a suction-cylinder and piston, and means for reciprocating them together, the piston having a limited movement in the cylinder, means connected with the piston for reciprocating both piston and cylinder, means for swinging the cylinder sidewise, and a catch engaging the cylinder to secure it against endwise movement after bein swung sidewise, substantially as described.

4:. A delivery device for vending-machines, comprising a cylinder, a piston having a limited movement therein, a guide supporting the cylinder to permit reciprocations thereof, means connected with said guide to move it and the cylinder laterally of the length of the cylinder, a lever pivoted to the piston, a fixed stop adapted to engage and hold the cylinder when it is swung to one side, and means for depressing the piston when the cylinder is in the side position, substantially as described.

5. A delivery device for vending-machines comprisingasuction-cylinder, means for moving it into contact with the article to be delivered, means for lifting and transferring it sidewise, and a fixed catch engaging the cylinder to hold it against endwise movement after being moved sidewise, substantially as described.

6. A delivery device for vending-machines comprisingasuction-cyliuder, means for moving it in contact with the article to be delivered, a guide-ring surrounding the cylinder and in which the cylinder has sliding movement, a bar connected with the ring and me tending laterally from the cylinder, the said bar having guided movement, means for lifting said cylinder, and means for actuating said bar to swing the cylinder to one side, substantially as described.

'7. A delivery device for vending-machines, comprising a cylinder having a stopreceiving hole in one side, the piston having a limited movement in the cylinder, a guide supporting the cylinder to permit reciproc'at-ions thereof, a bar connected with said cylinder-guide and extending to one side thereof, guides for said bar, permitting its longitudinal movement whereby the cylinder is moved laterally of its length, a lever pivoted to the piston, a fixed stop adapted to enter the hole in the cylinder when swung to one side, cam-rollers on the bar and lover, cams engaging the rollers, and means for turning them whereby the cylinder is lowered into contact with the article to be sold and is then raised and swung to one side, and the piston depressed within the cylinder to release the article, substantially as described.

8. In a vending-machine, a reservoir or receptacle for the article being sold, a suction device adapted to enter said receptacle and remove one of the articles therein, an indi cator, a catch normally holding the indicator out of sight, and an arm projecting from the suction device and adapted to engage the catch to free the indicator when the receptacle becomes empty, substantially as described.

9. A delivery device for vending-machines, comprising a suction-cylinder, a piston having a limited movement therein, a spring bearing against the upper end of the cylinder, a lever connected with the piston to reciprocat-e it and the cylinder, means for actuating said lever, means for swinging the cylinder to one side, and a catch engaging the cylinder to hold it against endwise movement after being moved sidewise, substantially as described.

10. Adelivery device forvendinganachines, comprising a suction-cylinder, a guide-ring surrounding the same, a bar connected with said guide-ring and extending laterally from the cylinder, a piston having a limited movement in the cylinder, a lever connected with the piston to reciprocate both it and the cylder, a cam for actuating said lever, and a second cam for actuating the said bar to swing the cylinder to one side, substantially as described.

11. Adelivery device for vending-machines, comprising a cylinder, a piston having a limited movement therein, a spring connected with the piston-rod and bearing against the upper end of the cylinder, a bell-crank lever connected with said piston to reciprocate the same and the cylinder, a spring acting on said bell-crank lever for normally depressing said cylinder, means for actuating said lever, and means for swinging the cylinder sidewise,

substantially as described.

12. A delivery device for vending-machines comprising a cylinder, a piston having a limited movement in the cylinder, a spring hearing against the upper end of the cylinder, a spring-controlled guide supporting said cylinder to permit reciprocation thereof, a lever pivoted to the piston, actuating means for said lever whereby the piston is first lifted and then the cylinder is raised, actuating means for said guide, whereby the cylinder when raised is swung to one side, astop adapt- JAMES MAOKIRDY.

Witnesses:

FREDK. E. MILHOLLAND, H. L. REYNOLDS. 

